South Alabama QB Brandon Bridge says, 'I've been waiting for this a very long time'

MOBILE, Alabama - There is strong optimism among South Alabama fans in regard to the Jaguars' offensive capabilities this season. Talent and depth are evident throughout the group. But there is an if factor that always seems associated with all such conversations:

If Brandon Bridge comes through at quarterback ...

Bridge, who battled Ross Metheny for the starting job last season, entered and exited spring drills as the Jags' starter, has heard the whispers, knows the concerns and recognizes the responsibility and expectations. And he can't wait for the season to get started.

"I've been waiting for this a very long time. I'm not going to let this opportunity slip by,'' Bridge said.

Indeed, his quarterback life has taken several twists and turns, from his hometown of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, a flirtation with the University of Buffalo, signing with Alcorn State, and transferring to South Alabama. He has gone from a hot prospect at Buffalo, to landing at Alcorn State; from starter at Alcorn to dissatisfied and asking to be released from his scholarship; to signing with the Jags, sitting out a season, battling Metheny for the starting job, to entering Wednesday's first fall practice as the No. 1 quarterback, but with two newcomers and others chasing his job.

This is the last chance for the 6-foot-5, 235-pound senior, who since the day he arrived on South Alabama's campus has wowed teammates and others with his athletic gifts - strong arm, quick feet, instincts. The word potential has been used frequently. His goal this season, he said, is to replace that with accomplishment.

He has had his moments, including last season when served as backup to Metheny, who produced the best season ever by a South Alabama quarterback. He learned patience and decision-making, as well as when having a strong arm doesn't mean demonstrating it on short pass routes, and when throwing the ball away is the best play instead of trying to use his strong arm - he has thrown passes longer than 70 yards - to make a play.

"The only thing I expect of myself is to lead - to lead and win games,'' Bridge said. "That's what coaches have been really stressing all spring. Last year I thought I could make a play and had to make a play every play to stay in the game. But this year they're telling me not to press and just get the ball to all the great athletes around me and just go out and win the game. Don't try to be a playmaker on every play. Those big plays will come. Just manage the game and win it for us.''

Is that easier said than done? "I don't think it's very hard,'' Bridge said. "Last year instead of letting the game come to me I was trying to go at the game. I tried to make a play, even if a play wasn't there or if the best play was to throw the ball away. This spring I learned to make the right decision as opposed to trying to make the big play. Maybe that's checking down or taking what the defense gives me. I'm all for it. If I play within the system, we'll have a successful season.''

"Outside pressures and expectations are only what you allow them to be. If he plays within himself and does his job, then he'll be very effective,'' Matthews said.

Bridge grew up loving football in a place where football doesn't have great popularity, so he looked to the United States for a chance to play on the college level. Buffalo recruited him heavily and he was set to go there until rumors circulated that then-head coach Turner Gill would be leaving. Gill and his staff did leave and Bridge had to go with Plan B, a plan he had to develop. Eventually, Alcorn State made an offer and he accepted.

He started the first five games as a sophomore at Alcorn, including a strong performance against Mississippi State, but he was sidelined by an injury. A change in coaches and philosophy prompted him to ask for and receive his release from Alcorn and he received a phone call from South Alabama. He sat out the 2012 season as a transfer and pushed Metheny for the starting job last year.

"Last year, because Ross was playing at such a high level, I knew I had to probably make a play better than him to, A, continue to play and B, start the following week,'' Bridge said. "Instead, I was battling against myself, against Ross and against the team. This year, I'm not going to press so much. Last year, instead of taking what the defense was giving me, I was trying to go for that long ball. ... I felt if I scored on every drive there was no way they could take me out.''

Matthews said although Bridge wasn't the starter he was used in important situations and picked up valuable experience in tough environments. At he enjoyed some success. That experience will serve him well this year, as will the competition that has developed. Matt Floyd transferred to South Alabama from South Florida and is eligible to play right away. Hunter Vaughn transferred in from Butler, Kan., Community College where he was the starting quarterback for a 9-2 team. He is eligible to play this season as well. Trey Fetner and Grant Powell return from last year's team.

"I think it's actually good,'' Bridge said of the additions. "It's going to create a lot of competition. People can't get complacent. ... With the depth at our position, I think it's going to be good for everybody. Everybody's going to step up their games because the people behind them can definitely play. ... Everyone's going to be ready to play and the best person is going to get the job.''

Matthews agrees with that line of thinking. "In the quarterback room, it's a different scenario because only one guy plays,'' he said. "Sometimes you get two guys on the field, depending on the situation. At other positions so many guys rotate in. There's some selfishness involved in everybody wanting to be the guy, but it's also where your best teammates are made too, because they understand they want the best out of everybody and they want to push each other and however the cards unfold, they need to be supportive of that decision.''

The cards are in Bridge's favor right now. He intends to make plays and decisions that will continue that throughout the season.

"I felt it when the last second went off the clock of our last game last year,'' Bridge said. "I kind of felt, now it's my turn. It really hit in the spring when I got all the reps with the (starters). ... That's when I knew. ... I'm ready. I can't wait to get started. ... David Morris, who I train with at QB Country, he told me to go out there and have fun, that it's still a game; don't press, numbers don't mean everything. All that matters is winning.''